Hey guys! Before we get started, check out Apos Audio. They are a great up-and-coming distributor with a phenomenal-looking website and excellent customer service. They also offer free shipping, the lowest price guarantee, a 2-year warranty, and a now 45-day return.
Let’s take a deep dive and compare 4 great console gaming DAC/Amps that can also be used on your desktop.
How do they compare – sound and features-wise? Which one should you consider first? All of these answers and more, comin’ up…
Greetings bass head and welcome aboard. Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music, all over again, so…
All of these are Amp/DAC combos that come in at similar price points save for the Mojo.
The D1, K5 Pro, and G6 come in at roughly $130 – $170, and the Mojo around $500-600.
They are all built very well, but the Mojo has been known to fail after some time. Not all users are having issues, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Gaming Shootout.
Specs
Audioengine D1
Price: Check Amazon! | Check B&H! | Official Review: Here!
- Connections: 1x pair of RCA Analog Outputs, 1x Optical Input, USB Type-B jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
- DSD support: No.
- PCM: Up to 24-bit/192kHz (optical), 24-bit/96kHz (USB)
- MQA support: No.
- Power Output: RCA Outputs: 2 Vrms at 0 dBFS. Headphone Outputs: 2 Vrms at 0 dBFS.
FiiO K5 Pro
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Apos Audio! | Check B&H! | Official Review: Here!
- Connections: 1x pair of RCA Analog Input & Outputs, 1x Coaxial Input, 1x Optical Input, USB Type-B jack, 15V DC power jack, 1/4″ Headphone jack.
- DSD support: Yes.
- PCM: Up to 32-bit/768kHz.
- MQA support: Yes.
- Power Output: 1.5W @ 32 Ohm.
Creative SoundBlasterX G6
Price: Check Amazon! | Check B&H! | Official Review: Here!
- Connections: 1x line input and output jack, 1x micro USB jack, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x 3.5mm mic input.
- DSD support: No.
- PCM: 192 kHz / 32-Bit (Recording) 96 kHz / 32-Bit (Playback)
- MQA support: No.
- Power Output: Not specified, but 150 to 600 Ohms (High Gain) 16 to 149 Ohms (Low Gain) 16 to 600 Ohms (Headphone)
Chord Mojo
Price: Check Amazon! | Official Review: Here!
- Connections: 2x 3.5mm headphone jacks, Optical input, coaxial input, 2x micro USB (charging/listening).
- DSD support: Yes.
- PCM: 32-bit/768kHz.
- MQA support: Yes.
- Power Output: @ 1kHz – 600Ω 35mW/@ 1kHz – 8Ω 720mW
Features
The K5 Pro and G6 have gain features, and I’d feel comfortable driving anything 0 – 600 Ohm.
The D1 does not have gain, and I’d consider the ceiling at around 300 Ohm.
It does very well with an HD600/650, but I wouldn’t rely on it for anything more demanding than that.
The Mojo has plenty of power and no gain feature, but you likely won’t need it.
The Mojo also happens to be the only one here that utilizes its volume and power functions a bit differently than the others.
Instead of a volume potentiometer, it has little globe balls that are pretty fun to play with.
They also change colors depending on the sample rate and volume.
None of these have a bass boost, but the G6 is perhaps the most feature-rich, with its SBX (Virtual 5.1 surround), and Scout Mode features, as well as both a 3.5mm headphone jack and mic inputs for FPS gaming.
This immediately separates it from the others from a competitive standpoint, as you can use it both casually and/or with a party (FPS).
All 4 have the optical input for use with a console, so either way, you’ll be able to chill on the couch with some movies or single-player games, both of which I personally love when I’m maxin’ and relaxin’.
Back of the K5 Pro (bottom)
Back of the G6.
Mojo – Coax, Optical, Charging, Listening.
All can be connected to powered speakers like the Presonus Eris e3.5.
Both the D1 and K5 Pro utilize RCA outs for the task, while the G6 and Mojo opt for the 3.5mm line out.
In the case of the G6, there is a line out. For the Mojo, the 3.5mm can be used as a line in or out.
For both, just use a 3.5mm to RCA.
While the G6 and K5 Pro both have inputs (3.5mm and RCA respectively), the Mojo and D1 do not.
Now that all that technical mumbo jumbo is out of the way, how do they sound in relation to one another?
Glad you aksed, homie.
Sound
As many of you day 1 bass heads know, the Mojo is my second favorite Amp/DAC soundwise right behind the venerable Bryston BHA-1.
The Mojo, like the Bryston, is incredibly rich and textured, with perfect resolution, clarity, detail, intimacy, speed, etc.
It’s simply sublime in every way. Some may not like its warm-ish tone, but I personally fell in love.
The Bryston leaned more towards neutral and snappy:
These are essentially my exact impressions of the beastly unit.
The D1 bears a similar sentiment to the Mojo, but its performance isn’t quite on par.
It’s certainly no slouch, but I’d categorize it as being on the warmer side (10 Ohm output impedance), and does incredibly well paired with an HD650 on a console or with music.
Full-bodied, enjoyable sound all around. So turn that frown upside down!
The K5 Pro follows suit here. At 1.2 Ohm output impedance, it strikes a nice balance of warm and neutral.
I’d consider the G6 just shy of neutral here, and perhaps the most “crisp” and clean out of all of these at 1 Ohm output impedance.
- Related: What is Output Impedance?
For a product targeted at consumers and gamers, this piece functions more like something an audiophile would rely on.
Some audiophile snobs may scoff at this notion, but the G6 is an incredible performer at its price point or otherwise.
They’re basically giving it away at around $130 considering everything it’s capable of.
FPS gamers, vinyl lovers, and film addicts should look to the G6 first.
It’s a product that covers all the bases and looks classy doing so.
Don’t underestimate the power of the G6, figuratively or otherwise.
You can even download an app and EQ any headphones to your liking, a great added benefit for some of those brattier cans that could use some slight alterations (cough overhyped treble cough).
‘Scuse me.
Simple turntable setup with the G6.
The important takeaway is that the sound of these 4 DACS is very similar, with slightly contrasting tones and flavors.
I’ve demoed countless songs with an array of different headphones with all of these over the last few years.
SO DON’T OVERTHINK IT!
I generally shy away from recommending DACS based on how they sound in relation to one another though, because after demoing 60+ at the time of this article, it largely doesn’t matter.
They are all very similar at the end of the day. Headphone differences are much more apparent and noteworthy.
I recommend Amps & DACS mostly based on specs, features, power, and output impedance, and always have.
The Mojo is an outlier to me sound-wise, but it has some other issues that prevent me from recommending it outright nowadays.
So with that, how would I rank them?
I’d hands-down get a G6 first.
It’s a jack of all trades and even more versatile than the K5 Pro. If you’re an FPS gamer, audiophile, film buff, music lover, vinyl spinner, etc., it’s an incredibly easy purchase.
The K5 Pro is a close second, followed by the D1 and then the Mojo.
The D1 was my original do-all Amp/DAC until I tried the K5 Pro.
The K5 Pro held the spot until I tried the G6, and since then, I haven’t come across anything more capable.
What puts the G6 over the top for me is the mic input, EQ feature, Scout mode, and SBX.
There’s simply nothing else you could ask for in a product like this.
It’s an almost perfect cross-section of the audiophile, consumer, and gamer demographic.
If you aren’t a hardcore gamer nerd, you don’t need a mic, you don’t care about EQ, and are more of an audiophile type who plans to run MQA and/or DSD, get the K5 Pro.
Arnold.
Ferrigno.
And that’s my FINAL ANSWER!!
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Video Shootout
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Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Audioengine D1 vs. FiiO K5 Pro vs. Creative SoundBlasterX G6 vs. Chord Mojo shootout, and came away with some valuable insight.
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Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Do you agree with my assessment? Which one of these sounds best to YOU? I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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Photos…
Photo Gallery
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I’ll never look at music the same way again.
In the box…
In The Box
Audioengine D1
- Audioengine D1 24-Bit Digital to Analog Converter
- USB Cable 2 ft (0.6m)
- Microfiber Product Bag
- Limited 3 Year Warranty
FiiO K5 Pro
- FiiO K5 Pro DAC and Headphone Amplifier
- USB Type-A to USB Type-B Cable
- Power Adapter
- Power Cable
- 4 x Rubber Feet
- 1/8″ Headphone Adapter
- Limited 1-Year Warranty
Creative SoundBlasterX G6
- Creative Labs Sound BlasterX G6 7.1-Channel HD Gaming DAC and External USB Sound Card
- Optical Cable
- Micro-USB Cable
- Limited 1-Year Hardware Warranty
Chord Mojo
- Chord Mojo DAC
- USB Charging cable
8 comments
Nice review.
Hey thanks, Ry! Which one suits your fancy?
Have you tried Topping DX3 Pro compared ?
Hey man no I have not yet!
Hi Stu, I’ve recently come across your YouTube channel by chance and I really love the way you bring out your content, especially the corny jokes!
I have owned the Audioengine D1 the last 3 years to power my HD6XX and bought the FiiO K5 Pro last week in the hopes to hear improvements from the D1. Though to be honest, after a week using of the K5 Pro I don’t hear any differences with the D1. I currently have the K5 Pro packaged and ready to return, but I still wanted your opinion on this. Do you happen to hear any differences or not and is the D1 really enough for the HD6XX? I read on the internet that the D1 is not powerful enough.
Thanks,
Fentomized
Hey man thank you! That’s interesting as the D1 and K5 Pro do happen to have a similar, warm-ish tone so that could be why it’s hard to discern anything as there really isn’t too much in the way of difference. The D1 may be slightly warmer than a K5 Pro but that could also be my imagination. Both definitely are on the warmer side though. I’d probably stick with the K5 Pro as yeah, the D1 is a tad underpowered. I was pretty much maxing out with a 650 as I recall. There was a little headroom but not as much as I would like. Check this out: https://homestudiobasics.com/fiio-k5-pro-amp-dac-review/
This will sound strange, but after coupling my Hifiman HE-400 SE with the latest Soundblaster X4 and then going back to the G3, I have to say, the G3 sounds crisper and cleaner, delivers more slam and oomph (maybe at the expense of the soundstage to a degree) Instruments (especially guitars and winds) sound great and much more present, I’d say the amplification makes those instruments sound like they’re running on way more torque if that makes sense. This may be because on my Linux system, I can pre-amplify the signal on the computer, and the Sounblaster G3 interacts with the system to take this pre-amplification into account (when I plug my Sounblaster G3 into my Mac, it only sounds half as good). Greetings from Bavaria.
Hey man! So glad to hear your experience with the G3 was good. It’s been quite a while since I used it but my experience basically mimics yours straight into a PC or Mac. In other words, I wasn’t a huge fan lol.